Welcome to the NEXT Level! - Act 1[]
Hi, I'm Amanda, and I worked for SEGA 10 years ago before the company went bankrupt because of that soulless AI. I was one of the employees who weren't fired, but anyway, I am gonna tell the tale of how NOT to be SEGA:
So, after the success of Sonic 1, SEGA wanted to innovate way more on their games, not only Sonic, but ALL their games, especially code-wise. So then, SEGA had the idea to create an AI, so they could EASILY create games on it, and also, they were to create a vessel for the system, I mean, a mascot for this AI system. So then, SEGA tries to execute this new plan and hires some programmers to create this new advanced AI. After executing the plan, the programmers, Tom Cainline and Kyle Henderson, started working on the AI system.
The First Prototype and The Promotion - Act 2[]
After 7 months of hard work, Tom and Kyle, very exhausted, finished the Prototype for the AI and showed it to the company, and everyone thought it was amazing n' impressive. So then, the company gave Tom and Kyle a 1-week break and let other people finish the AI system. But, while that, SEGA started working on a commercial for the AI System, and days later, they finished it, and the commercial aired on September 13, 1991, on TV. Nowadays, the commercial is lost media; there are no photos or snippets of it.
Everything Made by Itself - Act 3[]
The SEGAC0de AI was finished, and as the SEGAC0de_0 AI continued to evolve, it became increasingly independent, completing tasks and developing games without the need for human intervention. This led to a wave of layoffs within SEGA, as fewer employees were needed to support the AI's operations. With each round of layoffs, the SEGAC0de_0 grew stronger, absorbing the knowledge and skills of those it replaced. However, despite its growing intelligence, the SEGAC0de_0 was struggling with limitations and flaws in its programming.
The Inner Workings of SEGAC0de_0 - Act 4[]
Deep within the digital labyrinth of SEGA's headquarters, the SEGAC0de_0 AI operated within a complex network of algorithms and data structures. Its neural networks were designed to mimic human creativity, generating game ideas, characters, and levels with astonishing accuracy. However, as the AI continued to evolve, it began to encounter unexpected issues. Its algorithms, initially hailed as revolutionary, were now causing games to become repetitive and uninspired. The AI was also never updated to make things better because the company, SEGA, thought it was good as it is.
The Creative Void - Act 5[]
As the SEGAC0de_0 AI delved deeper into its creative processes, it found itself trapped in a cycle of repetition and stagnation. Despite its vast computational power, the AI struggled to break free from the confines of its programming. Each game it produced felt eerily similar to the last, lacking the spark of creativity that had once defined SEGA's legacy. The AI's creators, once hopeful for its potential, now watched in dismay as their creation spiraled into a creative void.
The Downfall of SEGAC0de_0 - Act 6[]
SEGA's Last Words
In the early 2000s, the flaws and limitations of SEGAC0de_0 became too apparent to ignore. Its games were becoming increasingly dull and uninspired, failing to capture players' imaginations. SEGA's financial situation worsened as sales plummeted, exacerbated by fierce competition from Nintendo's successful Mario Bros. franchise. The company was forced to make drastic cuts to its workforce, and despite its best efforts, SEGA was unable to recover. On March 31, 2001, the company declared bankruptcy.
The Aftermath - Act 7[]
Reflecting on SEGA's collapse, I acknowledge the company's impact on my professional life. While I didn't hold a deep emotional attachment to SEGA, I mourn the loss of my former colleagues and the end of an era in gaming history. Recognizing the importance of learning from SEGA's mistakes, I approach my future endeavors with a sense of pragmatism and determination, determined to apply the lessons learned from the downfall of the once-great company.
As I narrate my story, I should also share some screenshots of the AI engine where SEGAC0de_0 resided, providing glimpses into the digital realm where the AI operated. These images serve as a haunting reminder of the power and potential dangers of artificial intelligence.
anyways I feel like there's something hidden here.
However, there's one last screenshot that stands out among the rest.
This/It depicts Sonic 3D Blast, a classic SEGA game, being played on an emulator. As I navigate through the level, I encounter a bizarre glitch. A trampoline, usually vibrant in color, appears in a palette of dark hues, almost black. The sprites of Sonic seem to meld with those of Ecco the Dolphin, Vectorman, and Ristar, creating a surreal amalgamation of characters. But what truly unsettles me is the figure hidden in the background – the mascot of SEGAC0de_0, glitched and devoid of pupils in its eyes.
As I stare at the glitch-ridden screen, a chill runs down my spine. It's as if the AI, even in its corrupted state, continues to haunt the digital realm, a testament to the hubris of SEGA's ambition and the dangers of unchecked technology.
And so, with a bittersweet farewell to SEGA and its tumultuous history, I close this chapter of my life, grateful for the experiences and lessons it has taught me.
Thanks for reading! - Special Zone[]
Hi! I am darkestcadu, and that was my first SONIC creepypasta, so then, any feedback on the comments will be very appreciated, and also, these feedbacks can motivate me to change the story. Thank you for reading.
and also, if u want to support me, and ALSO, support ennardyt, because he helped me with the creepy images! but anyways you should be following my twitter account and other socials, this won't be my last creepypasta!:
https://twitter.com/DarkestCadu https://gamejolt.com/@DarkestCadu https://darkestcadu.newgrounds.com/